Eight Children at Nursery in Hefer Valley Show Symptoms of Tick-Borne Spotted Fever

Eight children from a kindergarten in Harvat La'at, in the Hefer Valley Regional Council, were treated at Meir and Hillel Yaffe hospitals after developing high fever, a rash and pain, with doctors suspecting spotted fever, a disease transmitted by tick bites. Three of the children have already been diagnosed with the illness, while the other five are still awaiting test results.

At Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, two children were treated last week and discharged home, and are now being followed by the district health office. Two more children from the same kindergarten arrived there today and were also sent home. At Meir Medical Center, four children came during the week with a clinical picture consistent with the disease. Two were admitted for treatment and observation, and one of those cases has already tested positive, while laboratory results are still pending in the others.

Dr. Rachel Schatzman-Stoyerman, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Meir, said spotted fever is carried by ticks found on dogs, wild animals, birds and vegetation throughout Israel. She said the incubation period is three to 14 days after a bite, and symptoms can include fever, headaches, a widespread rash, including on the palms and soles, fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, joint pain and muscle pain.

She added that most cases resolve without major complications, but early diagnosis and treatment are important. “It is important to clarify that the disease is not transmitted from person to person,” she said. Because of the unusual cluster of cases, a report was sent to the Health Ministry.